Creatine | PharmaCreatine™

Properties: Creatine is secreted within the human organism. However, there are times when its density in the body does not meet the demands. This is when the supplementation comes into play. Products based on creatine are especially popular among sportsmen – professionals and newbies alike. This is because the most important function of creatine is the regeneration of ATP molecules in the organism. These molecules are the main source of energy for our cells. By improving the recycling of ATP, creatine allows us to work out longer, because it provides more “fuel” required for the body. Nevertheless, this is not the only mechanism which makes creatine so useful for sportsmen. As it turns out, this compound can also increase the strength of the muscles – its anabolic effect upregulates the synthesis of proteins that build muscle structure. Simultaneously, it limits their decomposition, therefore protecting the muscles from losing their strength and mass – especially after exhausting training. On top of that, it supports the regeneration of muscle cells by stimulating the secretion of hormones that are responsible for their restoration and accelerate their growth. Noteworthy, creatine reduces the production of lactic acid that causes so-called “sore muscles”. This is especially important because this unpleasant feeling after training can successfully demotivate us and make the next session much tougher. Many experienced coaches agree that creatine supplementation is a perfect method to increase body mass necessary to expand muscles. This property of creatine has been thoroughly researched . It has been proven that this natural anabolic can indeed help to build up muscle mass.

Even if creatine is most often supplemented by sportsmen, by no means people who are less fond of working out can also benefit from it! Anabolic properties of this compound will support everyone, especially in tough circumstances when the organism requires more energy. The supplementation of creatine will bring about faster regeneration of the muscles, increase of their strength, and the improvement of stamina.

Occurrence: Although some amounts of creatine are produced within the human organism, this compound is predominantly delivered with food. Its sources are mainly meat: beef, poultry, rabbit, beef and pork heart as well as fish: cod, herring, salmon, and tuna. Milk and dairy products contain only a small amount of creatine.

Biochemistry: Chemically speaking, creatine is classified as a peptide. Its molecule is produced from the combination of L-arginine, methionine, and glycine molecules. Creatine is synthesized in the liver, kidneys and pancreas. In the organism, it supports the process of protein synthesis, mainly by anabolic and anti catabolic reactions. Therefore, it accelerates the growth of muscle mass. Moreover, creatine plays the key role in the renewal of ATP – the fundamental energy source of the organism. Under the influence of the enzyme creatine phosphokinase, creatine is phosphorylated. As a result of a chemical reaction, phosphocreatine is formed. This substance is a substrate necessary for ATP resynthesis. As a supplement, creatine comes in various forms, the most popular of which are creatine monohydrate and creatine malate. They differ in their chemical structure – monohydrate is a combination of water molecules with creatine, while malate is formed by combining monohydrate with malic acid.

Fun fact: Creatine was discovered in 1832 during the investigation of substances present in the skeletal muscles. This is where its name comes from – in Greek “kreas” means “meat”.